Combined toothbrush holder and tooth paste dispenser



J.. c. KOTRABA I 2,411,923

COMBINED TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER AND TOOTH PASTE'DISPENSER Filed July 31, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTOR. 17 8/. YJcwep/zCfibZ/nba, z mlmrfluuu Dec. 3, 1946. .J.c. KOTRABA 2,411,923

COMBINED TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER AND TOOTH PASTE DISPENSER Filed July 51, 1944 ZSheets-Sheet 2 7 I INVENTOR. 2 T (baa 0Z0 flzbzraba,

J7 49 3 flaw/M; Mal/4M Patented Dec. 3, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'L- f COMBINED TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER AND 'roo'rn PASTE DISPENSER Joseph C. Kotraba, Chicago, Ill. 1 g 7 Application J'u1ys'1, 1944, Serial No. 547,422 11 Claims. (01. 222-127) This invention relates to a combined tooth brush holder and tooth paste dispenser.

The invention is principally concerned with a form of device essentially comprising a chambered body having a paste storage chamber communicating with a paste dispensing chamber, there being a discharge port communicating with the latter chamber. A holder member is carried by the chambered body and carries a plurality of tooth brush holders. The holder member is movable relative to the chambered body to permit bringing the tooth brushes selectively before the discharge port, while the brush holders are movable relative to the holder member and are engageable and disengageable with means connected with a plunger in the dispensing chamber so that when a brush and its holder is moved before the discharge port movement of the brush holder will cause paste to be discharged from the port and deposited along the brush from its inner to its outer end in movement of the brush past the discharge port.

In its broader aspects, the invention contemplates the provision of a form of device as above described especially adapted to support a plurality of tooth brushes and for dispensing tooth paste and depositing it upon a preselected one of the plurality of brushes. I

Specifically, the invention is concerned with the particular manner and means employed for supporting the plurality of tooth brushes on the chambered body, whereby any preselected one of the brushes may be brought before the paste discharge port. I

Other features of the invention reside in the particular form of brush holders employed for supporting the brushes upon the brush holder, as well as the particular means employed to permit engagement and disengagement of the holders with the plunger in the dispensing chamber, whereby movement of one of the holders in engagement with such means will cause paste to be discharged from the dispensing chamber onto the tooth brush carried by that holder.

Still other features of the invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out, and they consist generally in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the construction to be described and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown the preferred illustrative embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 is a top plan view ofv a combined tooth brush holder and tooth paste dispenser embodyf ing the principles of the present invention; ,I

Figure 2 is a side elevationalview of the device of Figure 1; I.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of thedea vice of Figure 1, taken substantially along the, plane of the line3 3. thereof; i, Figure 4 is.a planview of one of the brush holder elements; I v I,

Figure 5 is a' plan view, partly in section, of a, modified form of device; I

Figure 6 is a front elevationalview of the de vice of Figure 5, and

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view ofthe device of Figures 5 and 6; taken substantially. along the plane of linel-l of Figure 6. I

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 to 3 thereof, the present invention comprises a chambered member ll, preferably cylindrical in shape and formed from plastic or other suitable or preferred. material." Member I l is bored from one end to provid the paste storage chamber l2 and a dispensing cham' ber l3, these chambers communicating with e ph other thru the medium of the relatively small port I4 formed in the wall l5 separating the chambers. A plug l6 closes the open end of chame ber l2 and is retained therein by a pair of super: posed discs Il-l 8 suitably secured by screws (not shown) passing through the discs into body l l A passageway or central bore l9 through discs l'l-l8 and plug I6 is closed by the threaded cap 2|. This cap may, if desired, be.replaced by the well known ball check valve. By insertingthe end of a tube of paste into bore l9, pastefrom the tube may be squeezed through pluglfi'into chamber l2. The height ofplug l6 and location of port l4 will be dependent upon the size desired for chamber If. The plug should terminate im-; mediately adjacent port l4. Thus paste urged downwardly in chamber l2 by plunger 22, through the medium of the compression spring 23 biased between the plunger and top wall of chamber l2 will be forced through port 14 into dispensing chamber l3. A screw 24 passing through the top wall of member I I provides means by which said member may be suspendedfrom a suitable wall bracket.

It will be observed that discs 11-48 project for; a short distance beyond the periphery of member H and provide a seat for a holder member 2.5, the latter member having a central borein which member II is rotatably received with a snug'but not tight fit. The member 25 is also preferably of plastic, or other suitable or preferred material and, in this instance is substantially star-shape to provide four tooth brush stalls 26 each adapted to receive the bristle portion 21 of a tooth brush 28. The shape of member 25 will, in most instances, be dictated by the member of brush stalls to be formed therein. It will be apparent from the foregoing that by rotation of member 25 about member 11,, any one of the brush stalls, and con,- sequently the brush therein, maybe brought to register with the discharge port 29 formed in disc l1 and communicating with dispensing chamber l3.

Brushes 28 are supported in stalls 25' by the rods by the cooperating clamp nuts 36 3'|'. The

opening 38 defined by the leg of the plate registers with the stall opening and by slipping the tooth brush handle 39 into opening 38, the brush will be disposed and supported in the stall. The legs of plate 35 receive the brush handle with a friction fit to maintain it in an upright position. However, if desired, a Wire 4| may be secured across the stall opening in the manner indicated to insure that the brush will not tilt backwardly out of the stall.

It will be noted that a portion 35a of plate 35 projects rearwardly of rods 32 for engagement between a pair of discs 4'2-43 secured to the lower end of a rod 44 and spaced apart by the rod embracing sleeve 45. The rod 44 extends upwardly through a bore in discs |'||8 into the dispensing chamber [3 where it is rigidly secured to the plunger 46 disposed in the chamber. By rotation of. member 25 about member any one of the four brush stalls may be brought in register with the discharge port 29. At this time, portion 35a of the plate 35 associated with the selected brush stall will have moved in between the discs 42-43. Then, upon initial downward movement of rods 32 in their bores, as by exerting downward pressure on tie plate 33, portion 35a of plate 35 will contactdisc 43 and the bristles 2'! of brush 28 will be disposed opposite port 29. Upon continued downward movement of rods 32, plate 35 will carry disc 43 along, thereby pulling plunger 46 downwardly in chamber I3 and forcing the plaste therein outwardly through port 29 onto bristles 21 as they pass such port, it being understood, of course, that brush 28 is carried downwardly past the port 29 by plate 35. The paste is thereby deposited along the bristles from the inner end of the brush toward its outer end. When the brush passes Wire 4| it may be removed from plate 35 with the deposited paste thereon. After use, the brush may be again placed between the legs of plate 35 and the component elements of the device restored to their original position by pushing upon the plate 35 or disc 43, or by pulling them back to their original position through medium of plate 33. It will be observed that the length and disposition of plunger 46 is such that initial downward movement of plunger 46 will close port M, and keep it closed until the plunger is restored to its normal position above the port.

Thus paste in the chamber |3 will not be forced back into chamber |2 through port I 4.

In the modified form of device shown in Figures 5 to '7, inclusive, the chambered member H is also preferably formed from a synthetic resin material and is in the shape of a generally rectangular block. Like the device of Figures 1 to 3, it is provided with the paste storage chamber 2 communicating with the dispensing chamber l3 through the port l4. A passageway 41, closed by cap 2|, is provided through which chamber l2 may be filled with paste. A plunger 22, through the medium of compression spring 23', normally urges the paste in chamber I3 through the port l 4" into dispensing chamber l3. The chamber 12' and. passageway 4'! may be formed in the molding of the block and the dispensing chamber and itsdischarge port 29, thereafter drilled in the block. A sleeve 48 is threaded into the upper end of chamber l3 to receive the plunger 45'. Rod 44 passing through chamber l3 connects the plunger with the discs 42"-43', the discs being spaced apart by the interposed disc 49. The discs 42'-43 normally lie in a circular recess 5| formed in thebottom of block I Referring to Figures 6 and 7, it will be noted that the front face of block I I has a tenon 52 formed thereon, which extends for substantially the full length of the block. This tenon lets into a mortise 53 formed in the rear face of a holder member 25', which is in the shape of a generally rectangular block. This dovetail joint has a snug but not tight fit in order that block 25' may be slid horizontally across the front face of block The front face of the block 25 has slots of a width sufficient to receive the bristle portion of a tooth brush to form the brush stalls 2B. In the embodiment shown, there are four of these stalls. The rearward portion of the walls 54 defining stalls 26' are each slotted, as indicated at 55 to slidingly receive the brush holder 32'. Only one of these holders is shown, but it will be apparent that there will be a similar holder for each stall.

Holders 32 are preferably formed from a length of metal strap stock. One end of the strap is bent to extend generally horizontally forwardly, as indicated at 56, while the opposite end of the strap is bent forwardly, as indicated at 51 and slotted, as at 58, to receive the tooth brush handle 39. Intermediate its ends, the strap is relieved of metal to form the slot 59. The relieved metal is cut, and one portion thereof is bent to substantially the form shown at 6| to provide means for positively pushing the brush out of stall 26 when the holder is moved downwardly in slot 55. The other portion of the cut metal is bent rearwardly, as indicated at 62, and engages in a slot 63, which extends the full length of the front face of block 25. This latter slot, in conjunction with portion 62 of the holder, restrains downward movement of the holders, except when they are in the position shown, in front of dispensing chamber l3, when the portion 62 engages between the discs 42'-43'. When the holder is in the latter position, it may be moved downwardly in slot 55, by exerting downward pressure on portion 56 thereof, thus passing brush 39 before discharge opening 29". At the same time, by reason of engagement of holder portion 62 between discs 4243', the plunger is pulled downwardly in chamber |3, thus forcing paste from port 29 through the slot 59 onto the brush in its passage by the port.

It will be apparent that any one of the stalls 26' may be moved into position in front of the chamber l3 for the purpose above described. A

spring pressed detent 64 engageable in a recess formed in the rear face of holder behind each of said stalls, substantially locks the stall in its proper position during operation of holder 32'.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described by way of example, it will be obvious that changes may be made therein within the spirit and scope of the invention and, therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the precise forms herein described, except insofar as it may so be limited by the I appended, claims.

brushes thereon, said holder member having movement relative to said chambered member whereby a selected brush and its holder may be moved into register with said discharge port, and

said brush holders having movement with respect to said holder member whereby the selected brush in register with said port may be passed therebefore, and operating means engageable with the brush holder of the selected brush only by the act of moving the brush into register with said port, whereby upon movement of said selected brush holder said operating means will cause paste to be discharged from said port and deposited on said brush in it passage before said port.

2. A device of the class described comprising a chambered member having storage and dispensing chambers communicating with each other, a discharge port communicating with said dispensing chamber, a plunger in said latter chamber, operating means connected with said plunger, a holder member carried by said chambered member, and a plurality of brush holders carried by said holder member, said holder member being movable relative to said chambered member to bring a selected brush holder into engagement with said plunger operating means and the brush carried by said brush holder into register with said discharge port, said brush holders having movement relative to said holder member, whereby movement of said selected brush holder will cause the brush carried thereby to pass before said discharge port and the plunger to force paste from said port and deposit it on said brush in its passage before the port.

3. A device of the class describedcomprising a chambered member including a dispensing chamber, a plunger in said chamber, a rod disposed in said chamber and having one end thereof fixed to said plunger, a pair of spaced apart discs carried by the other end of said rod and disposed externally of said chamber, a holder member mounted on said chambered member for movement with respect thereto, and a plurality of brush holders mounted on said holder member, each including means engageable and disengageable between said discs by movement of said holder member, said brush holders having translational movement with respect to said holder member whereby engagement of the means on one of said brush holder between said discs will cause operation of said plunger in said dispensing chamber upon translational movement of said brush holder.

chamber having a discharge port, a plunger in said dispensing chamber,- operating means connected with said plunger, a holder member carried by said chambered member and having a plurality of individual brush stalls, said holder member being movable relative to said chambered member whereby a selected brush stall may be registered with said discharge port, and a brush holder associated with each of said stalls to support a brush therein and including means adapted for engagement with the plunger operated means'upon movement of a selected stall into register with said discharge port, said brush holders having translational movement with respect to said stalls whereby such movement of the holder associated with the selected stall will movelthe brush carried thereby fromthe stall past the discharge port and simultaneously operate the plunger to force paste from the port onto the brush in its movement past the port.

5. A device of the class described comprising a cylindrical member having a paste dispensing chamber and a discharge port, a holder member embracing said cylindrical member, a plurality of brush holders carried by said holder member for supporting a plurality of brushes thereon, said holder member being rotatable about said cylindrical member to position a selected brush holder and brush in register with said discharge port and said brush holders having vertical movement with respect to said holder member whereby said brush may be moved vertically before said port in register therewith, and operating means engageable with the brush holder of the selected brush only by the act of moving the brush into register with said port, whereby upon movement of said selected brush holder said operating means will cause paste to be discharged from said port onto said brush simultaneously with movement of the brush past the port. v

6,. A device of the class described comprising a cylindrical member having a paste dispensing chamber and a discharge port, a plunger in said chamber, operating means connected with said plunger, a holder member rotatably mounted on said cylindrical member and having a plurality of individual brush stalls whereby a selected stall may be registered with said discharge port, a brush holder associated with each of said stalls to position a brush therein and having translational movement with respect to said stalls to remove the brush therefrom, and means carried by each brush holder engageable and disengageable with said plunger operating means by the rotation of said holder member about said cylindrical member, said last named means on each brush holder being engaged with said plunger operating means when its associated stall is registered with said discharge port, whereby movement of the brush holder to remove the brush carried thereby from its stall will actuate said plunger to force paste from said discharge port and deposit it on the brush as the latter moves from its stall.

7. A device of the class described comprising a cylindrical member having a paste dispensing chamber and a discharge port, a plunger disposed in said dispensing chamber, operating means connected with said plunger, a holder member carried by said cylindrical member, a plurality of brush holders carried by said holder member and each comprising a pair of spaced rods mounted for translational movement with respect to said holder member, means connecting the upper ends acreage of the rods together, and a slotted plate carried by the lower ends of the rods for receiving a tooth brush, said plate having a portion thereof adapted for engagement and disengagement with said plunger operating means, and said holder member being rotatable about said cylindrical member to position a selected tooth brush in register with the discharge port and the portion of the slotted plate of the holder carrying said brush in engagement with said plunger operating means, whereby translational movement of said rod will cause said selected brush to be passed from end to end before said port simultaneously with actuation of said plunger to force paste from said discharge port onto said brush.

8. A device of the class described comprising a chambered member including a paste dispensing chamber and a discharge port, a holder member carried by said chambered member, a plu rality of brush holders carried by said holder member for supporting a plurality of brushes thereon, said holder member having translational movement with respect to said chambered member whereby a selected brush and holder therefor may be moved into register with said discharge port, and said brush holder having movement with respect to said holder member whereby the selected brush in register with said port may be moved therebefore, and operating means engageable with the brush holder of the selected brush only by the act of moving the brush into register with said port, whereby upon movement of said selected brush holder said operating means will cause paste to be discharged from said dispensing chamber through said port onto said brush in its passage before the port.

9. A device of the class described comprising a substantially rectangular block-shaped member having a paste dispensing chamber and a discharge port, a holder member, a plurality of brush holders carried by said holder member for supporting a plurality of brushes thereon, said block member having a planar front face with a longitudinal groove therein, means on said holder member engaging in said groove whereby said 2 holder member may be moved translationally across the face of said block member to dispose a selected brush and holder therefor in register with said discharge port, and said brush holders having movement with respect to said holder member whereby the selected brush in register with said port may be moved therebefore, and means operable by movement of said brush holders to force paste from said dispensing chamber through said port onto said brush in its passage before the port.

10. A device of the class described comprising a substantially rectangular block-shaped member having a substantially planar front face and including a paste dispensing chamber and a dis charge port, a plunger in said chamber, operating means connected with said plunger, a holder member mounted on the planar front face of said block member for translational sliding movement with respect thereto and having a plurality of individual brush stalls whereby a selected stall may be moved to register with said discharge port, a brush holder associated with each of said stalls to position a brush therein and having translational movement with respect to said stalls to remove the brush therefrom, and means carried by each brush holder engageable and disengageable with said plunger operating means by the translational sliding movement of said holder member, said last named means on each brush holder being engaged with the plunger operating means when its associated stall is registered with said discharge port, whereby movement of the brush holder to remove the brush carried thereby from a selected stall will actuate said plunger to force paste from said discharge port and deposit it on the brush as the latter moves from its stall.

11. A device of the class described comprising a substantially rectangular block-shaped member having a substantially planar front face and including a paste dispensing chamber and a dis.- charge port, a plunger in said chamber, operating means connected with said plunger, a holder member mounted on the planar front face of said block member a plurality of brush holders carried by said holder member for translational sliding movement with respect thereto, each brush holder comprising a strap having a longitudinal slot, an angularly disposed slotted portion on the lower end of said strap for receiving and supporting a tooth brush, and a second angularly disposed portion on said strap adapted for engagement and disengagement With said plunger operating means, said holder member having translational sliding movement across the front planar face of said block member whereby to position the slot in a selected strap in registei with the discharge port and the second angular portion on the selected strap in engagement with said plunger operating means, translational movement of the selected strap thereafter causing the brush carried thereby to be passed from end to end before said port simultaneously with actuation of said plunger to force paste from said discharge port through the slot in the strap onto said brush.

JOSEPH C. KOTRABA. 

